324. achashdarpenin
Lexical Summary
achashdarpenin: Satraps

Original Word: אֲחַשְׁדַּרְפַּן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: achashdarpan
Pronunciation: a-khash-dar-pe-neen
Phonetic Spelling: (akh-ash-dar-pan')
NASB: satraps
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H323 (אֲחַשׁדַּרפַּן - satraps)]

1. prince

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
prince

(Aramaic) corresponding to 'achashdarpan -- prince.

see HEBREW 'achashdarpan

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to achashdarpan
Definition
satraps
NASB Translation
satraps (9).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[אֲחַשְׁדַּרְמְּנִרן] noun masculine plural satraps (Biblical Hebrew נִים-; compare M52*); — emphatic נַיָּא- Daniel 3:2,3,27; Daniel 6:2; Daniel 6:3; Daniel 6:4; Daniel 6:5; Daniel 6:7; Daniel 6:8.

אִילָן see אול.

Topical Lexicon
Definition and Historical Setting

אַחַשְׁדַּרְפָּן (Strong’s H324) designates the “satraps” of the Medo-Persian Empire—regional governors who oversaw taxation, security, and justice on behalf of the king. The title is attested in royal inscriptions from Darius I onward and corresponds to the Old Persian khshathra-pāvan (protector of the realm). In Scripture the term appears exclusively in the Book of Daniel, reflecting the prophet’s firsthand familiarity with Persian court terminology during the exile.

Scriptural Distribution

Nine occurrences, all in Daniel: Daniel 3:2, 3; 3:27; 6:1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7.

Administrative Role in Daniel

1. Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian Empire (Daniel 3) and Darius the Mede’s kingdom (Daniel 6) each list satraps among their highest officials, showing continuity of governance through successive empires.
2. The satraps formed part of larger governing cohorts—“the satraps, prefects, governors, counselors, treasurers, judges, magistrates” (Daniel 3:3)—revealing a multi-tiered bureaucratic structure.
3. They answered directly to the monarch yet were themselves subject to law; Daniel 6:2 records that “over them he appointed three administrators, and Daniel was one of the three,” underscoring the layered accountability that preserved imperial stability.

Narrative Function in Daniel 3

The satraps are summoned to the dedication of Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image (Daniel 3:2-3). Their attendance symbolizes the universal reach of the king’s decree and sets the stage for the faithful stand of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When those three emerge unharmed from the furnace, “the satraps, prefects, governors, and royal advisors gathered around” (Daniel 3:27), becoming eyewitnesses to God’s deliverance and thereby instruments in broadcasting the miracle across the provinces.

Narrative Function in Daniel 6

Darius appoints one hundred twenty satraps to govern the realm (Daniel 6:1). Jealous of Daniel’s exceptional service, they conspire to entrap him through legislation targeting prayer (Daniel 6:6-7). Their action highlights the perennial tension between earthly authority and obedience to God. Ultimately the satraps’ plot is overturned, vindicating Daniel and demonstrating divine sovereignty over political machinations.

Theological Significance

• Divine Sovereignty: God operates through and above imperial structures, turning the schemes of satraps to the promotion of His glory (Daniel 3:28-29; 6:25-27).
• Civil Authority and Faithfulness: Daniel’s interactions with satraps illustrate respectful engagement with government while maintaining uncompromised allegiance to God (cf. Acts 5:29).
• Witness to the Nations: The presence of high-ranking officials at key miracles ensures that the knowledge of the true God permeates administrative networks, anticipating the gospel’s advance “before kings” (Matthew 10:18).

Lessons for Ministry and Leadership

1. Stewardship: Effective governance, like that expected of satraps, requires integrity and accountability—qualities exemplified supremely by Daniel (Daniel 6:4).
2. Courageous Loyalty: Believers serving under secular authorities may face coercive policies; Daniel and his friends model steadfastness grounded in prayer and trust.
3. Influence Through Excellence: Daniel’s superior spirit (Daniel 6:3) earned him favor and a platform for testimony, encouraging Christians to pursue vocational excellence for God’s glory (Colossians 3:23-24).

See Also

Governors; Prefects; Providence of God; Civil Government; Exile and Return

Forms and Transliterations
אֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּ֞א אֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּ֡א אֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּ֣א אחשדרפניא וַֽאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּא֙ וַאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּ֑א וַאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּ֗א וַאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּא֙ ואחשדרפניא לַֽאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּ֡א לַאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּ֖א לאחשדרפניא ’ă·ḥaš·dar·pə·nay·yā ’ăḥašdarpənayyā achashdarpenaiYa la’ăḥašdarpənayyā la·’ă·ḥaš·dar·pə·nay·yā laachashdarpenaiYa vaachashdarpenaiYa wa’ăḥašdarpənayyā wa·’ă·ḥaš·dar·pə·nay·yā
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Daniel 3:2
HEB: שְׁלַ֡ח לְמִכְנַ֣שׁ ׀ לַֽאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּ֡א סִגְנַיָּ֣א וּֽפַחֲוָתָ֡א
NAS: [word] to assemble the satraps, the prefects
KJV: to gather together the princes, the governors,
INT: sent assemble the satraps the prefects and the governors

Daniel 3:3
HEB: בֵּאדַ֡יִן מִֽתְכַּנְּשִׁ֡ין אֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּ֡א סִגְנַיָּ֣א וּֽפַחֲוָתָ֡א
NAS: Then the satraps, the prefects
KJV: Then the princes, the governors,
INT: Then were assembled the satraps the prefects and the governors

Daniel 3:27
HEB: וּ֠מִֽתְכַּנְּשִׁין אֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּ֞א סִגְנַיָּ֣א וּפַחֲוָתָא֮
NAS: The satraps, the prefects,
KJV: And the princes, governors,
INT: gathered the satraps the prefects the governors

Daniel 6:1
HEB: עַל־ מַלְכוּתָ֔א לַאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּ֖א מְאָ֣ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֑ין
NAS: 120satraps over
KJV: and twenty princes, which should be
INT: over the kingdom satraps an hundred and twenty

Daniel 6:2
HEB: דִּֽי־ לֶהֱוֹ֞ן אֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּ֣א אִלֵּ֗ין יָהֲבִ֤ין
NAS: that these satraps might be accountable
KJV: that the princes might
INT: whom might satraps that give

Daniel 6:3
HEB: עַל־ סָרְכַיָּ֖א וַאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּ֑א כָּל־ קֳבֵ֗ל
NAS: the commissioners and satraps because
KJV: the presidents and princes, because
INT: among the commissioners and satraps the entire according to

Daniel 6:4
HEB: אֱדַ֨יִן סָֽרְכַיָּ֜א וַאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּ֗א הֲו֨וֹ בָעַ֧יִן
NAS: the commissioners and satraps began trying
KJV: the presidents and princes sought
INT: Then the commissioners and satraps began trying

Daniel 6:6
HEB: אֱ֠דַיִן סָרְכַיָּ֤א וַאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּא֙ אִלֵּ֔ן הַרְגִּ֖שׁוּ
NAS: commissioners and satraps came by agreement
KJV: presidents and princes assembled together
INT: Then commissioners and satraps these came

Daniel 6:7
HEB: מַלְכוּתָ֗א סִגְנַיָּ֤א וַֽאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּא֙ הַדָּֽבְרַיָּ֣א וּפַחֲוָתָ֔א
NAS: the prefects and the satraps, the high officials
KJV: the governors, and the princes, the counsellors,
INT: of the kingdom the prefects and the satraps the high and the governors

9 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 324
9 Occurrences


’ă·ḥaš·dar·pə·nay·yā — 3 Occ.
la·’ă·ḥaš·dar·pə·nay·yā — 2 Occ.
wa·’ă·ḥaš·dar·pə·nay·yā — 4 Occ.

323
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